Cigarette-case.



T. F. HATHAWAY.

CIGARETTE CASE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 19. 1914.

1,15%.59Q. Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

THOMAS F; HATHAWAY, OF ELGIN. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 ELGIN AMERICAN MANU- FACTURING 00.. OF ELGIN. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLIFTOIS.

CIGARETTE-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 12, 1915.

To'all whom. it may concern Be it known that T, Tnonas F. HATH- AWAY, a citizen of the Ynited States, residing at Elgin, in the county of-Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cigarette-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a case or receptacle particularly designed and adapted for containing cigarettes, cigars, matches and the like.

The objects of the invention are to provide a case in which the articles carried therein can be extracted therefrom without requiring the usen to open the lid and reach inside for that purpose. The extraction being accomplished by simply pulling the foremost article out from the forward end of the case.

A further object of the invention is to form a case of the character described which shall be composed of two sections hinged together, each section being alike and capable of being made from a single die.

A further object of the invention is to give an extended abutting surface for the sections of the case along the sides thereof,

giving a substantial bearing for the sections against one another along the sides, whereby the forward end, from which the; articles are extracted, may be configured to provide for the easy extraction of the article, no engagement between the sections along the forward end being necessary beyond the engagement along the sides.

A further object of the invention lies in forming the case of a symmetrical and neat appearance due to making the same of two sections, each of the same configuration and counterparts of each other. i

The invention further consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top view of the case of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction ofthe arrow, and showing the case in closed position in full lines and by means of dotted lines the position assumed by the sections of the case when an article is being extracted; and Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

As previously stated, the invention resides in a case or container, of the proper size and width for receiving and carrying cigarettes, cigars, matches and the like, and such container is formed so that an articlemay be extracted therefrom without the user opening the lid and reaching inside of the same. A suitable opening being provided at the forward end of the case, enabling the user to grasp the foremost of the articles within the case and pull it out through the forward end thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, the case is composed of two sections, i and 5, each of which is of similar configuration and is capable of being formed from the same die. This is of material advantage from a manufacturing standpoint, since it reduces the number of tools, reduces the cost of producing the parts, and expedites the assembling of the same. Each section contains a prolonged polished or ornamental surface 6, one section forming the top of the case, and the other section forming the bottom, when assembled, although, of course, as to which is the top and which is the bottom would depend upon the position of the case, since each is exactly alike, these sections acting in conjunction do, however, form the component portions of the case.

Each of the sections is rounded at its edges, as at 7, and abut against one another at the point 8 and each section has a relatively elong'ated slope or curve 9 at its forward end, as will be clearly understood from Fig. 2. Thus the case in cross section partakes of the characteristics of an ellipsoid and is, therefore, easily carried in the pocket and contains no sharp or protruding 7 surfaces which would render it unsightly. The ellipsoid formation gives to it symInet-- rical appearance, and moreover, forming the case in the manner described gives a bearing surface for each section against the other along the abutting edges of the sides, thus making the case strong and substantial and insuring the sectionsbeing maintained in correct alinement. The sections are secured at their rear ends by some suitable form of spring hinge 10. I The articles 11 are arranged within the case transversely thereof as will be understood from Figs, 1 and 2. At the forward end each section is cut away to provide an depth, so that the central portion of the foremost of the articles within the case is exposed, as will be apparent from Fig. 1. The forward ends of each section are, in the construction shown, bowed or spaced away from one another to provide an opening 13, and the sections are only in engagement at their forward ends at the point 1-1; that is at the extreme edges of the case. This will be clearly seen from Fig. 3. By so arranging the forward end of the sections withdrawal of the articles therefrom is considerably facilitated, since said forward ends being already curved or spaced apart to some extent by the provision of the opening 13,

the amount of expansion of the sections nec-.

essary at this point to withdraw the articles is not as great as though the forward ends were in engagement throughout their length. The forward ends 9, as heretofore stated, are formed. with a substantially long curve so that the decrease of width in the case toward the forward end is gradual.

This is important, since if an abrupt reduction were provided, it would necessarily produce a sharp curve or abutment which would interfere with the free extraction of the article. This is especially important where the case is made for the purpose of carrying cigarettes, since the paper composing the wrapper of the cigarette is easily torn, and if any abutments or projections are encountered in getting the cigarette from the case, the paper would be liable to It will be apparent that this is a much si1npler operation than it would be if it were necessary to throw the lid open a distance and the user insert his fingers inside and thus extract the articles required.

To summarize, the case of the present invention permits of the extraction of the article in a simple and easy manner, is so formed that mutilation of the article during extraction is eliminated, is so formed that its forward end from which the article is extracted presents no abrupt surfaces which would be likely to tear the article in extraction. the sections of the case are so formed that a substantial bearing for the sections against one another is afforded along the entire sides thereof, the case is formed of two similar sections, expediting the manufacture and reducing the cost thereof, and by so forming it a symmetrical and smooth contour is given to the case, im proving the appearance and rendering it of a nature so that it can be carried in the pocket of the user without producing any objectionable bulging.

I claim:

In a device of the class described, the combination of a case formed of two companion sections connected together by a spring hinge, each section curving at the edges thereof, with the rear and side edges adapted to engage when the device is closed, each section being cut away to provide an opening extending from the forward end thereof toward the rear thereof, and provided with a second cut-away portion at their forward 'ends to provide a tapered opening extending at right angles to the first mentioned 7 openings and from the forward edges of the first mentioned openings .to adjacent the sides of the section, whereby said sections are in engagement only at the sides thereof referring to their forward ends, substantially as described.

THOMAS F. HATHAWAY. I

Witnesses: I

F. C. KNoBUsoH, PHILIP C. Hour.- 

